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நிலையாமை: Instability
About this chapter
நிலையாமை, instability, reminds the reader that wealth, life and the body do not last, and that this should make us act on what matters now. It is one of the chapters of the renunciant section that turn from conduct to the nature of life.
Kural 331 calls it the lowest kind of ignorance to take the impermanent for the permanent. Kural 332 compares the gathering of wealth to the crowd that fills a theatre and the loss of it to the crowd leaving. Kural 333 draws the practical conclusion, that those who gain wealth should at once do lasting good, and Kural 334 describes time as a saw that cuts away life while appearing to give days. Kural 335 repeats the point with a stark image: do good before the last hiccup stops the tongue. Kural 336 notes that one who lived yesterday is gone today, and Kural 337 observes that people make countless plans without knowing if they will live another moment. Kurals 338 to 340 turn to the nature of life: the soul leaves the body as a bird leaves a nest, death is like sleep and birth like waking, and the soul seems to lodge in the body rather than to have a home.
Kural 336 is among the best known, and Kural 333 the most useful, since it turns the theme into action.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits universal values and the idea of time well used.
The 10 kurals of நிலையாமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
நில்லாத வற்றை நிலையின என்றுணரும்
புல்லறி வாண்மை கடை.
Nillaadha Vatrai Nilaiyina Endrunarum
Pullari Vaanmai Katai
Lowest and meanest lore, that bids men trust secure, In things that pass away, as things that shall endure
கூத்தாட்டு அவைக்குழாத் தற்றே பெருஞ்செல்வம்
போக்கும் அதுவிளிந் தற்று.
Kooththaattu Avaik Kuzhaath Thatre
Perunjelvam Pokkum Adhuvilin Thatru
As crowds round dancers fill the hall, is wealth's increase; Its loss, as throngs dispersing, when the dances cease
அற்கா இயல்பிற்றுச் செல்வம் அதுபெற்றால்
அற்குப ஆங்கே செயல்.
Arkaa Iyalpitruch Chelvam Adhupetraal
Arkupa Aange Seyal
Unenduring is all wealth; if you wealth enjoy, Enduring works in working wealth straightway employ
நாளென ஒன்றுபோற் காட்டி உயிர்ஈரும்
வாளது உணர்வார்ப் பெறின்.
Naalena Ondrupor Kaatti Uyir
Eerum Vaaladhu Unarvaarp Perin
As 'day' it vaunts itself; well understood, 'tis knife', That daily cuts away a portion from thy life
நாச்செற்று விக்குள்மேல் வாராமுன் நல்வினை
மேற்சென்று செய்யப் படும்
Naachchetru Vikkulmel Vaaraamun Nalvinai
Mersendru Seyyap Patum
Before the tongue lie powerless, 'mid the gasp of gurgling breath, Arouse thyself, and do good deeds beyond the power of death
நெருநல் உளனொருவன் இன்றில்லை என்னும்
பெருமை உடைத்துஇவ் வுலகு.
Nerunal Ulanoruvan Indrillai Ennum
Perumai Utaiththuiv Vulaku
Existing yesterday, today to nothing hurled!-Such greatness owns this transitory world
ஒருபொழுதும் வாழ்வது அறியார் கருதுப
கோடியும் அல்ல பல.
Orupozhudhum Vaazhvadhu Ariyaar Karudhupa
Kotiyum Alla Pala
Who know not if their happy lives shall last the day, In fancies infinite beguile the hours away
குடம்பை தனித்துஒழியப் புள்பறந் தற்றே
உடம்பொடு உயிரிடை நட்பு.
Kutampai Thaniththu Ozhiyap Pulparan
Thatre Utampotu Uyiritai Natpu
Birds fly away, and leave the nest deserted bare; Such is the short-lived friendship soul and body share
உறங்கு வதுபோலுஞ் சாக்காடு உறங்கி
விழிப்பது போலும் பிறப்பு.
Urangu Vadhupolunj Chaakkaatu Urangi
Vizhippadhu Polum Pirappu
Death is sinking into slumbers deep; Birth again is waking out of sleep
புக்கில் அமைந்தின்று கொல்லோ உடம்பினுள்
துச்சில் இருந்த உயிர்க்கு.
Pukkil Amaindhindru Kollo Utampinul
Thuchchil Irundha Uyirkku
The soul in fragile shed as lodger courts repose:-Is it because no home's conclusive rest it knows
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